The shantytowns are all low wooden houses, which are messy and chaotic everywhere, but full of the breath of life. Children are running around naked, and women are carefully washing thick layers of clothes in the muddy alleys. Usually, the men in the family only have one or two sets of clothes for work. Every time a piece of clothing is torn after washing, it needs to be patched up, which shortens the life of the clothes.
Gao Xiaoli and his brother Gao Dali live in the wooden house with two other workers. One is a bachelor like Gao Dali, and the other is a couple. There are only thin curtains between the beds.
The wooden house was cleaned very clean today. On the low table with a missing leg was a pot of steaming cabbage stewed with pork slices and longevity noodles.
Several close co-workers were also called over, and it was a lively occasion with lots of laughter.
Gao Dali was particularly happy and was extremely nice to his brother's two college classmates, as if they were VIPs at home.
Lu Ming originally wanted to prepare a gift, but in the end, he and Sun Jingjun bought a birthday card. Now thinking about it, it was indeed a wise move. It was a very happy day for others, and they were even happier eating stewed cabbage with meat, and felt that they had hope for the future. But instead of preparing expensive gifts, you just made a birthday cake. Not only would it steal the show, but it would also spoil the simple happiness of others.
There were also a bunch of children laughing and playing nearby. In addition, there was a pretty girl who called Gao Xiaoli "Brother Xiaoli" and seemed to be particularly concerned about Gao Xiaoli.
They were from the same village. The girl followed her parents out to work. She was one or two years younger than Gao Xiaoli, about seventeen or eighteen years old. She wore a red flowered jacket and blue pants, and had long braids. She looked like a typical simple country girl. In fact, except for her dark skin and calluses on her hands, she was still very pretty, with the slim figure typical of country girls.
It is obvious at first glance that "Brother Xiaoli" who was admitted to university is the object of her admiration and secret crush, but as an uneducated country girl, she naturally feels inferior to him.
Today’s college students are like top scorers to the country people.
At the table, Gao Xiaoli insisted on drinking a glass of wine. His brother Dali indulged him and didn't care. Moreover, it was obvious that he seemed to have lost the confidence to be an older brother to his college student brother. He just did whatever his brother said.
Gao Xiaoli was very happy. He toasted his brothers and uncles, and also toasted Lu Ming and Sun Jingjun, thanking his two good friends for coming.
He also talked about his participation in the performing arts club at school, saying that his original dream was to become a big star, but unfortunately his family didn't have the conditions, so he had to listen to his brother and take a major that could make money, but brother, you don't understand, this is a bullshit major, learning all kinds of nonsense, it's not that you can make money just by studying economics, brother, do you understand what economics means? This lousy school is also patchwork, and my family has no background, so I can only be a small clerk in a bank in the future. What if I study medicine or law
"Stop talking!" Sun Jingjun quickly grabbed him, "You've drunk too much!"
"I, I don't have much..." Gao Xiaoli struggled, and suddenly fell on the table, still mumbling, "I want to make money, I want to make money..."
Gao Dali hurriedly helped Gao Xiaoli to the bed with others, and a woman was taking care of him.
After returning, Gao Dali sighed, "Xiao Li, this kid has never drunk much. I'm sorry, Mr. Sun, Mr. Zhang, please forgive me!"
Although Lu Ming and Sun Jingjun are students, Gao Dali and others always address college students as "Mr."
"Haha, Xiaohua, the gift you prepared is no longer needed. This child has been practicing singing for several days!" Gao Dali said to the country girl. It can be seen that he likes Xiaohua very much.
"Is Xiaoli okay?" Xiaohua asked with concern.
"It's okay, come on, let's continue eating." Gao Dali smiled at Lu Ming and Sun Jingjun, "Would you like a drink?"
Sun Jingjun said, "Okay, come on, I'll pour you a glass. Today is not only Xiaoli's birthday, but also Dali's birthday after all your hard work for a year. Today is your holiday! Nineteen years ago today, God sent a good brother to be with you, right?"
Lu Ming looked at Sun Jingjun in surprise. This Sun Jingjun was a hidden talent with high emotional intelligence.
Naturally, the atmosphere was awkward. If they just dispersed like that, it would be even more awkward, so he was trying to smooth things over.
Without Gao Xiaoli as the center, Da Jun and Gao Dali soon started chatting enthusiastically. They started to make a fuss and asked Xiao Hua to sing.
Xiaohua sang a folk song, which was very clear and pleasant to the ear.
"A Ming, as a representative of our business school team, you should also show a talent. What are you doing just sitting there with your head down?" Da Jun pushed Lu Ming and blinked.
Gao Dali and others also cheered, "Mr. Zhang, come on!"
Lu Ming smiled and said, "Okay, I'll hum a song!"
He picked up the clapper and knocked on the bowl, singing softly: "Old men have to be steady, but who knows that sometimes they are as naive as a naughty child..."
In my previous life, I listened to so many popular internet songs that my ears were callused, but back then, I just felt annoyed when I listened to them.
Having lived two lives now, today I look at the lives of Gao Dali and others, their joys and sorrows, and suddenly I remember this song.
This song, which expresses the inner thoughts of middle-aged men under the pressure of life, can only be understood by older people, right
"It's all because time flies by, letting the sharpness slip through your fingers. Time is beyond your control, and the one you choose may not be the one you love most..."
"Who wouldn't be unwilling to be mediocre, curse the tricks of fate, sweat profusely to keep out the cold, fear the mockery of reality, and feel that they are almost different from others..."
Gao Dali and others listened and gradually fell silent.
When we were young, who didn’t feel ambitious and think that he was the protagonist of this world
But gradually you will understand that you are just an ordinary member of the vast number of people.
But life must go on, and we must work hard to make life better for those around us.
I roll in the mud every day, just hoping there is light ahead.
“…Strength is a deliberate makeup…”
After Lu Ming finished humming, Gao Dali and others remained silent, and it took them a long time to come back to their senses.
"Mr. Zhang, there's nothing more to say. Come, I, I must have a drink with you!" Gao Dali's face was full of excitement, and his eyes were a little red.
Lu Ming smiled, clinked glasses with him, and drank it all in one gulp.
Gao Xiaoli is lucky to have a good brother who protects him from wind and rain. However, Gao Xiaoli is still young and does not understand what is the most important thing in his life.
Soon, the army over there also began to talk nonsense.
Lu Ming looked at him and smiled.
"Mr. Zhang is different from Dajun and Xiaoli." Gao Dali said suddenly.
Lu Ming glanced at him and said, "Brother Dali, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital for a checkup?"
Gao Dali was startled and shook his head: "I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
Lu Ming thought for a moment and said, "Brother Gao, you guys can't go to the construction site in Longbei, right? Have you ever thought about going to the Black Mountain Concession? There are a lot of projects there right now, and the cotton mill is also hiring."
Gao Dali smiled bitterly: "How can we, the people of Anshan, get into such a big factory? No big factory wants us. Mr. Zhang, you are in the school, you probably don't know the situation outside."
Lu Ming nodded, and the army over there stood up shakily, clamoring to go back to school immediately.
Lu Ming found it funny. This guy was only so brilliant for a short moment, even when he was drunk.
Then he stood up and said goodbye.